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MERRILL’S STORY BOOKS 



STORIES 

FROM 

THE FAR EAST 


TRANSLATED AND ARRANGED 


BY 


ROLAND G. KENT, Ph. D. 

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF 'COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY 
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 


AND 

I. FREEMAN HALL 


SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS 



NEW YORK 

CHARLES E. MERRILL COMPANY 


■pz? 

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Copyright, 1913, 

v 

BY 

CHARLES E. MERRILL CO. 


PREFACE 


Day after day, Time takes his flight down the 
stairway of the Past. Let us imagine that there 
are many of these stairways leading from one 
floor to another in this great house which we call 
Our World. Let us also imagine that each story 
of the house is a century high. What a string 
of stairways, ten of them, we should need to carry 
us back a thousand years! And yet if we run 
down the whole ten stairways and then down ten 
more, w r e shall not be far enough back in time to 
see and hear the man who first told the stories 
which we are about to read. 

In that far distant past there were no printed 
books; so these stories were not read, but told — 
not once, but many times, by teacher to pupil 
and by father to son, until children, grandchildren, 
great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchil- 
dren, as they came climbing up the stairways, 
heard them told over and over again. And be- 
cause so many boys and girls, youths and maidens, 
men and women, never became weary of hearing 
and of telling these stories, they must have been 
[ 3 ] 


not only interesting, but full of value. The stories 
must also have been full of fun, full of action, or 
boys and girls would never have listened to them 
and remembered them as they did. 

They must have been full of suggestive truth 
and hidden wisdom, or the old men would have 
said, “ Let’s stop telling them. They are fit only 
for children.” This is exactly what did not hap- 
pen, for when century after century had come and 
gone, men still liked the stories well enough to 
write them on palm-leaves, or on paper, or on 
something else. In this way, many collections 
of these stories were made; and it is from three of 
these collections that our stories are taken. The 
arrangement of these collections is very peculiar: 
one story is placed within another, and a third 
within the second, and so on, until the whole is 
like a Chinese Ball Puzzle, with one inside the 
other. 

In reading the stories about animals, it will 
help you to remember that, 

The Jackal is very wise. 

The Hare and the Mouse are clever, and so are, 
usually, the Deer, the Gazelle, and the Dog. 

The Lion, the Tiger, the Elephant, the Ass, and 
the Monkey are usually stupid. 

The Goose, the Swan, the Crow, and the Sand- 
piper are normally wise. 

The Heron is stupid. 


[ 4 ] 


The Crab is clever, and so are the Fish and the 

Snake, sometimes. 

The Tortoise is stupid. 

That these stories may interpret truth to boys 
and girls to-day as effectively as when they were 
told centuries ago in far-away Hindustan, is the 
hope and desire of those who have translated 
them from the Sanskrit and arranged them for 
you to read. 


[ 5 ] 



















■ 





















CONTENTS 


PAGE 

How and Why These Stories were First Told . 9 

The Blue Jackal 13 

The Brahman and the Rogues 18 

Far-Reaching Plans 22 

The Parrot Brothers 24 

A Dog in a Strange Country 27 

The Onion Thief 29 

The Jackal and His Meat 31 

The Meddlesome Monkey 32 

The Thievish Merchant 35 

The Ass in the Tiger-Skin 37 

The Speaking Cave 40 

The Monkeys and the Lightning-Beetle . . 43 

The Jackal and the Drum 46 

The Lion Makers 49 

Bell-Ear and the Poor Woman 52 

The Three Fishes 55 

The Crows and the Snake 58 

Spotted-Coat’s Captivity 62 

The Singing Ass 66 

The Tortoise and the Geese 69 

When Thieves Fall Out 73 

The Young Jackal in the Lion’s Family . . 77 

The Elephants and the Mice 81 

The Geese and the Climbing Vines .... 85 

The Lion and the Carpenter 89 

[ 7 ] 


PAGE 

Two Marvels 93 

The Bookworms 97 

The Mouse that Became a Maid 101 

The Heron and the Crab 106 

The Sandpiper and the Sea Ill 

The Lion and the Hare 117 

The Deer, the Crow, and the Jackal . . . 124 

Gratitude and Ingratitude 131 

SOMILAKA AND HlS MONEY 138 

Good-and-Clever and Bad-and-Tricky . . . 145 

Conclusion 153 


[ 8 ] 


HOW AND WHY THESE STORIES 
WERE FIRST TOLD 


Far away in India, on the banks of the 
Ganges River, there is a city called Patna. 
In this city lived King Handsome. One 
day he overheard a sage reciting this 
verse : 

“Instruction helps us see the truth, 

Yes, truth of every kind; 

The man who good instruction lacks, 

Might just as well be blind.” 

Now this king had all the good qualities 
that a king should have; but the verse 
reminded him that his sons, just growing 
up, had never studied the books of the 
Law of Right Conduct and were falling 
into evil ways. This made him sorrowful; 
and on reflection he called an assembly of 
[ 9 ] 


wise men, and said to them, “0 ye Sages, 
hear me! My sons are going in evil ways 
and study not the books of the Law. Is 
there any one among you who can instruct 
them and make them good and virtuous? 
For there is a saying, 

“As soon as glass is placed on gold, 

It shines with golden light: 

When foolish youths with sages live, 
Stupidity takes flight / ’ 

Among the sages who had come to the 
meeting at the call of the king, there was 
one named Joy-of-Vishnu, who knew the 
wisdom of all the books of teaching. And 
when the king stopped speaking, Joy-of- 
Vishnu addressed him: “ My Lord, these 
princes are born of a noble family, and can 
surely be brought to learn the principles 
of wise and virtuous behavior. Efforts 
directed toward a wrong object have no 
success : one hundred repetitions of a word 
will not make a heron say it as a parrot 
[ 10 ] 


can. But in such a family as yours, one 
does not find children without ability to 
learn, any more than one would expect 
to find a worthless pebble among a mass 
of rubies. Therefore in six months’ time 
I will make your sons know the principles 
of good behavior.” 

The king courteously replied, “You 
shall have charge, then, of the teaching of 
my sons. Instruct them how to be good 
men and worthy princes.” He gave the 
sage many presents as marks of honor, 
and summoned the princes to hear his 
words. 

When they were all comfortably seated, 
the sage began his teachings thus: 

“Instructive verse and narrative 
Fill up the wise man’s life; 

But fools waste all their precious time 
In evil, sleep, or strife. 

“Therefore I will tell you certain cu- 
rious stories that will teach you how to 
[ 11 ] 


make good and faithful friends, and how 
to avoid bad ones; and how to use every 
experience of life, profitably, for your 
instruction. ” 

“ Noble sir,” said the princes, “ relate 
these stories.” 


[ 12 ] 


THE BLUE JACKAL 


Once upon a time there lived in a forest 
a Jackal named Harsh-Howl. Hungry 
from lack of food, he came close to a 
city, looking for something to eat. There 
some dogs saw him and, barking savagely, 
began to chase him. They had almost 
surrounded him, and were just about to 
seize him, when he suddenly slipped 
away from them into a great house. 
Here, alas, he fell into a vat of indigo 
dye. 

He was quite unable to climb out, 
and so, when the owner of the vat ap- 
proached the next morning, he pretended 
to be dead. The owner, deceived, picked 
him up and flung him to one side — where- 
upon the Jackal sprang to his feet and 
[ 13 ] 


ran off into the woods, to the great 
amazement of the man. 

Harsh-Howl was now of a shining blue 
color. When the Lions, the Tigers, the 
Panthers, the Wolves, and the other 
Forest-Dwellers saw him, an animal un- 
like any that they had ever seen before, 
they ran away at top speed. They said 
to one another, “We do not know this 
strange creature’s behavior and strength; 
and there is a saying, 

“Whose conduct, family, and strength one does 
not know, 

Him let a wise man trust not, would he caution 
show.” 

Harsh-Howl saw that they were filled 
with terror, and suddenly noticing that 
he was blue all over, he reflected, — for 
blue is the color worn by kings, — “Oho, 
I am now of the royal color! To what 
high rank may I not come!” 

So he called to the runaway animals, 
[ 14 ] 


“Oho, ye Flesh-Eaters! Why do you 
run away in terror at the sight of me? 
There is nothing to fear in me. Brahma 
himself created me just to-day, and said 
to me, 1 Since the Flesh-Eaters have no 
special king, I appoint you king of all of 
them, and name you Tip-Top. Go down 
now to the earth and be their ruler and 
protector/ Therefore I am come hither; 
and all you Flesh-Eaters must hereafter 
dwell in the shadow of my kingly parasol. 
I, Tip-Top, am your supreme king.” 

At this the Lions and the Tigers and all 
the rest surrounded him and cried, “O 
Lord and Master, give your orders.” 

So he made the Lion his Prime Min- 
ister, the Tiger the Protector of his Bed- 
chamber, the Wolf his Doorkeeper, and 
so on. 

Then for a time he ruled as king. The 
Lions and the other beasts killed the 
gazelles and brought them to him for 
[ 15 ] 


food; and he reserved his own portion and 
divided the rest among his subjects. 

But now that he was raised to such 
power, he looked with scorn upon his 
own kind, the Jackals, and did not ad- 
dress to them a single word; he actually 
had them driven from his presence in 
disgrace. 

The poor Jackals were much distressed 
at their treatment by Harsh-Howl. Fi- 
nally one old and wise Jackal said, “Do 
not be downcast because we are scorned 
by him. I will make a plan for his un- 
doing. The Tigers and the others are 
deceived by his color — nothing more; we 
must make them understand what he 
really is. If this evening we give a great 
howl all together, he will hear it, and his 
nature will lead him to howl in reply; for 
“The nature of a man is hard 
To overcome, ’tis said; 

A dog will nibble at a shoe, 

E’en though he be well-fed.” 

[ 16 ] 


So that day just after sunset, when 
Harsh-Howl came to an assembly of his 
subjects, all the other Jackals met at a 
little distance and began to howl. When 
he heard this old familiar sound, he for- 
got himself; joy made his hair stand on 
end all over his body, memory filled his 
eyes with tears, and he uttered a long 
and piercing howl in reply. 

Then the beasts who had submitted to 
his rule knew at once that he was only a 
Jackal. After standing for a moment 
with faces cast down from shame, they 
all exclaimed, “What! Have we let this 
wretched Jackal lead us all this time? 
Disgraceful ! Kill him, kill him ! ” 

And before Harsh-Howl could spring 
up and be off, they seized him and tore 
him to pieces. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Who leaves his friends and cultivates his foes, 
Like Tip-Top, King of Beasts, to death he goes! 

[ 17 ] 


THE BRAHMAN AND THE ROGUES 


Once upon a time there was a Brahman 
who devoted himself to the care of the 
sacred fire of the sacrifice. One day in 
mid-winter, when a brisk wind was blow- 
ing and a chilling rain was just beginning 
to fall, he went to another village to seek 
an animal for sacrifice. 

There he soon found a man for whom 
he had often performed sacrifice; and he 
said to him, “0 Generous Patron, at the 
next new moon I wish to perform a 
sacrifice. Therefore give me an animal 
to be the offering!” 

This patron thereupon gave him a fine 
fat goat. Seeing that it was suitable for 
the offering, the Brahman started home, 
carrying the goat upon his shoulder. 

[ 18 ] 





On the way he was spied by three 
Rogues, who were chilled through by the 
rain and desperately hungry. They said 
to one another, “If only we had that fat 
goat, we should not mind this cold rain. 
Let us make a scheme to get it away from 
him.” So they sat down under trees some 
distance apart, beside the lonely road 
along which the Brahman was walking. 

The first Rogue, when the Brahman 
drew near, called out, “Ho, you foolish 
Brahman! Why are you carrying a dog 
on your shoulder?” Now the dog is 
considered an unclean animal, not to be 
touched by a priest, and the Brahman 
replied indignantly, “This is no dog, but 
a goat for a sacrifice.” 

Before long he came near the second 
Rogue, who hailed him, saying, “Ho, you 
foolish Brahman! Why are you carrying 
a dog on your shoulder?” 

This puzzled the Brahman. Putting 
[ 20 ] 


the goat down on the ground, he looked 
at it fixedly for a long time; but at last 
he took it up again and went on his 
way, though with wavering spirit, for 

Two tricksters’ words oft shake a good man’s 
thought; 

His wits, deceived by three men, are as naught. 

Then the third Rogue’s voice came to 
his ears: “Ho, you foolish Brahman! 
Why are you carrying a dog on your 
shoulder?” This settled the wavering of 
his thoughts. He dropped the goat and 
left it. He bathed in a stream to cleanse 
himself of the touch of the dog, and went 
home. The three Rogues carried off the 
goat in triumph and made a good dinner 
of it. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Reflect with care on others’ words, 

For sometimes they’re not true. 

The unthinking Brahman lost his goat; 
Don’t you have losses too! 


FAR-REACHING PLANS 


In a certain place there was a Brahman 
who lived upon the food which he re- 
ceived from begging. One day, after his 
appetite was satisfied, he found that he 
had a whole jar of rice-broth left over. 
He hung this jar upon a nail on the wall, 
just above the bed, and presently he lay 
down to sleep. 

Lying there in the dark, he reflected: 
“I will save this jar of rice-broth until a 
famine comes, and then sell it for one 
hundred pieces of silver. With this I 
shall buy a pair of goats, and sell the 
young goats, until I can buy cattle. Next, 
buffaloes; finally, horses! At last I shall 
sell everything and have great riches. 

“Then I shall buy a fine house, and 
[ 22 ] 


marry a wife with a big dowry. We shall 
have a son, and he will be a fine little 
fellow! 

“Some day, I shall take my books and 
go out by the stable to study. The boy, 
eager to be trotted on my knee, will run 
away from his mother to me. On his way 
he will pass close behind the horses’ heels. 

“I shall be very angry at my wife’s 
carelessness in letting him run into dan- 
ger, and shall call out, ‘Stop the boy, 
stop the boy!’ She will be busy with her 
housework and will not hear. So I shall 
jump up and give her a kick!” 

So deep was the Brahman in thought, 
that he gave a terrific kick as he lay there 
in bed, broke the jar that was hanging 
above him, and was thoroughly drenched 
with the broth. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Far-reaching plans will tumble on one’s head, 

Like rice-broth on the Brahman in his bed. 

[ 23 ] 


THE PARROT BROTHERS 


In a mountain region dwelt a pair of 
Parrots, with two young birds which had 
not yet learned to fly. One day, when 
the parents were away seeking food, a 
fowler chanced that way, and seeing the 
young Parrots, carried them both off to 
his home. 

One bird escaped and made his way 
into the woods. The fowler put the other 
into a cage, and began to teach him to 
speak. 

The one that had escaped was found by 
a hermit and by him taken to the hermit- 
age, where he received good care. 

Some time after that, a king, whose 
horse had run away and separated him 
from his army, came along the road lead- 



ing to the home of the fowler. The Par- 
rot, in a cage before the house, began 
to cry, “Oho, oho, my master! A 
man is coming on horseback, all alone! 
Quick, seize him, seize him and kill 
him!” 

Plearing these frightful words, the king 
turned his horse around and spurred 
away; and soon afterward he came to the 
settlement of hermits. There also was a 
Parrot perching before a house. But this 
Parrot began to say, “Approach, 0 King, 
and rest yourself. Ho, Hermits! Offer 
[ 25 ] 


the stranger a hospitable welcome here 
in this shady wood.” 

The king reflected: “What can make 
such a difference in the welcome given by 
the Parrots? Surely it must be the nature 
of those with whom they have asso- 
ciated.” 

This illustrates the verse, 

Upon the nature of our friends 
Our virtue and our sin depends. 


[ 26 ] 


A DOG IN A STRANGE COUNTRY 


In a certain city there dwelt a Dog 
named Spotted-body. And there was a 
famine in the land, which lasted a long 
time. Then many Dogs and other ani- 
mals left their families and wandered off 
to distant parts. Among these was 
Spotted-body. 

He came at last to a strange city, where 
he went daily to a certain house. The 
mistress of the house was careless and 
left many articles of food lying about. 
Spotted-body ate this food, and soon be- 
came fat and happy. 

But the Dogs that were natives of the 
place objected to the presence of a stran- 
ger who ate the food which they wanted; 
and one day they all attacked him, and 
[ 27 ] 


with their sharp teeth tore his skin into 
strips, so that he barely escaped with 
his life. 

After this unpleasant experience, 
Spotted-body said to himself, “It is 
better to be at home with a famine than 
to live in abundance where your neigh- 
bors tear you to pieces. I will go 
straight home to my own native city!” 

When he arrived, his old friends all 
surrounded him and asked him, “Spotted- 
body, tell us, how are things abroad? 
What is the country like? What sort of 
people live there? What do they eat? 
What business do they follow?” 

To all this torrent of questions Spotted- 
body answered sadly, “How can a strange 
land be properly described? 

“There’s lots of food and careless wives; 

Alas, there’s one great danger : 

Your own kind grudge you e’en your life, 
Because you are a stranger.” 


[ 28 ] 


THE ONION THIEF 


In a certain city a man was caught 
stealing onions, and was thrown into a 
dungeon. When he was tried, the Judges 
said to him, “You shall pay one hundred 
rupees, or receive one hundred lashes, or 
eat one hundred onions. Choose your 
punishment. Otherwise you shall not be 
set free.” 

The thief said, “I choose to eat one 
hundred onions.” 

Thereupon ten bundles of ten onions 
each were brought, and the thief began 
to eat. 

When he had finished seven bundles 
and had begun on the eighth, the tears 
filled his eyes and nose, and his mouth 
became full of foam, and he said, “I am 
[ 29 ] 


unable to eat any more ; but I have 
not the hundred rupees either. So I 
must take the lashes.” 

But when about half of the lashes had 
been inflicted upon him, he cried out, 
“This, too, I cannot endure. I will pay 
the hundred rupees with interest, just as 
soon as I can. Only do not lash me to 
death!” 

Thus the onion thief suffered not one 
penalty, but all three, because he did not 
finish what he had begun, and he became 
a laughing-stock to all the city. 

This illustrates the verse, 

’Tis well to finish what you’ve once begun, 

Or like the thief, you’ll do three tasks for one. 


THE JACKAL AND HIS MEAT 


Once upon a time a Jackal was going 
to his home with a piece of meat in his 
mouth. His path led along the bank of a 
river, where he spied a great Fish swim- 
ming in the shallows. Dropping the 
meat, he dashed in to catch the Fish; 
but the Fish had seen him first, and was 
off like a flash into deep water. 

Meanwhile a Vulture swooped down 
out of the sky, seized the piece of meat, 
and bore it away. Then a hermit sitting 
not far away, who had seen the whole 
performance, said to the Jackal, 

“The Fish within the stream doth swim, 

The Vulture has the meat; 

You’ve lost both fish and flesh, my friend; 
What have you now to eat?” 


THE MEDDLESOME MONKEY 


Once upon a time, at the edge of a 
forest, a temple was being built at a 
little distance from a village. Carpenters 
were splitting a tree trunk from end to 
end, to make it into two beams. To work 
at it the more easily, they put a wedge 
into the slit that had been made. At sun- 
set, as the task was not finished, they left 
the tree trunk still sprung apart by the 
wedge. 

As soon as the carpenters had gone, a 
troop of Monkeys came out of the trees 
round about, and began to climb and play 
over the half-built temple. After a while 
one of them sat down on the tree trunk 
with his legs in the cleft, and began to 
pull at the wedge. 

[ 32 ] 



/ 


[ 33 ] 






Continuing his foolish actions, he finally 
made a great effort and the wedge sud- 
denly came out; the tree trunk sprang 
together, and the Monkey was crushed to 
death. 

This illustrates the verse, 

To meddle with the strange is bad, 

If you’d from death be free; 

Thus died the Monkey, pulling out 
The wedge that held the tree. 


[ 34 ] 


THE THIEVISH MERCHANT 


A merchant left his home and remained 
twelve years in a distant country, where 
he collected many precious stones of all 
kinds. On his way home, he stopped over 
night at an inn. Before the door of 
this inn there was an ugly image of a 
god, and on the crown of its head the 
innkeeper had placed a very valuable 
jewel. 

In the middle of the night the merchant 
got up and went to the door. He stood 
in front of the image, and reaching up, 
tried to take the jewel from the place 
where it was fastened. But the jewel was 
attached to wires, and as soon as he pulled 
at it, the wires pulled the arms of the 
image, which were movable. The arms 
[ 35 ] 


caught the merchant and squeezed him 
so hard that he shrieked with pain. 

The innkeeper was aroused, and com- 
ing out, said, “ You’d be a thief, would 
you, and take my jewel? You shall pay 
me for your evil-doing. Give me all the 
valuables which you have, or I will leave 
you there in the arms of the image until 
the officers come to punish you.” 

So the thievish merchant had to give 
up all his jewels, and wander away 
penniless. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Theft brings not happiness nor wealth; 

The merchant really robbed himself. 


[ 36 ] 


THE ASS IN THE TIGER- SKIN 


At Delhi, there was a washerman 
named Clean-Clothes. The bundles of 
clothes were carried to and from his cus- 
tomers ’ homes on the back of an Ass. 
But from overwork and lack of food this 
Ass could hardly drag himself about. The 
washerman sadly reflected, “Alas, if he 
dies, I shall be unable to carry on my 
business and earn my living. What 
shall I do?” 

While he was saying this to himself, 
he saw a tiger-skin hanging up, for sale; 
and it was so cheap that it gave him an 
idea. 

“What luck!” he thought, “I can 
easily buy this skin. Then I’ll throw it 
across the Ass's back, and let him out 
[ 37 ] 


into the grain-fields at night. The people 
will think that he is a Tiger, and will not 
disturb him.” 

So the washerman bought the tiger- 
skin, and putting it upon the Ass turned 
him into a field of grain not far away, 
soon after nightfall. In this way the 
Ass had every night all that he could 
eat, and was becoming well and strong 
again. , 

But the owner of the field now noticed 
that his grain was being eaten by some 
animal; so he went out in the night 
with his bow and arrow to protect his 
property. 

After watching for a time, he saw the 
Ass approaching. He thought, “A Tiger! 
I am lost!” and drawing his gray cloak 
over him, tried to creep away without 
being seen. But the Ass saw the gray 
object, and thought that it was one of his 
own kind. He was feeling lonely, so he 
[ 38 ] 


uttered a loud bray of greeting, and ran 
toward the farmer. 

At the sound, the farmer knew that 
this animal was no Tiger, but an Ass; 
and taking good aim, he shot him through 
the heart with an arrow. 

This illustrates the verse, 

A fool may get prosperity, 

If his voice he does not raise; 

The Ass that wears the tiger-skin, 

Is slain because he brays. 


[ 39 ] 


THE SPEAKING CAVE 


In a forest dwelt a Lion. He wandered 
about in search of food, but found noth- 
ing, and grew hungrier and hungrier, 
until at sunset he came upon a hole in the 
rocks. Seeing this, he thought, “ Surely 
some creature lives in here!” 

Then he entered the cave and waited. 

Soon the occupant of the cave, a Jackal, 
returned. As he was about to enter, he 
saw a Lion’s footprints leading into the 
cave, but none coming out again. He 
reflected, “O woe! There must be a Lion 
in there. What shall I do?” 

Then going to the entrance, he called 
in anger, “Ho there, Cave, ho there!” 

He waited a little and said again, 
“Don’t you remember that we agreed 
[ 40 ] 



[ 41 ] 




that I was to greet you when I returned, 
and that you were then to invite me in? 
Unless you do so, I will go off to my other 
home.” 

Hearing this, the Lion thought, “It 
must be the custom of the Cave to speak 
to him whenever he comes back; and 
now it is silent from fear of me, for 

“When people are by fright deterred, 

They can’t raise hand or say a word. 

“So I will reply for the Cave, that this 
Jackal may enter and become my food.” 

So he roared out, “ Enter !” 

But the Jackal, hearing the Lion’s 
voice, ran off at top speed, calling to the 
Lion, 

“Good fortune comes, and never grief, 

If one with care behave; 

Though old and gray, I ne’er before 
Heard voices from a cave! ” 


[ 42 ] 


THE MONKEYS AND THE 
LIGHTNING-BEETLE 


In a mountainous district there dwelt 
a troop of Monkeys, who could not make 
themselves warm and comfortable when 
the cold of winter came, but sat shiver- 
ing with chattering teeth in the chilling 
wind. 

One day at dusk they saw a huge light- 
ning-beetle, and said to one another, 
“ Why not light a fire from it?” — for they 
had once seen men blowing a smouldering 
fire into a blaze. 

So they caught the beetle, and placed 
dried grass and leaves and bits of wood 
upon it. Then stretching out their hands 
to it, they pretended to enjoy the warmth, 
while one of their number blew vigorously 
[ 43 ] 



upon the beetle to make the fire burn 
better. 

A Bird named Needle-Bill saw this 
foolish performance and said tauntingly 
to them, “Oh, what fools you are! There 
is no fire there; that is only a lightning- 
beetle. Why, then, this useless toil? If 
you wish to protect yourself from the 
wind, seek shelter among the trees or in a 
cave in the rocks.’ ’ 

The Monkey that was blowing on the 
beetle said in reply, “What is that to 
you? Hold your tongue, for 

“E’en fools, when foolishly addressed, 

Will show that silence oft is best.” 

[ 44 ] 


But the Bird continued to say, “Ho 
you! Why this useless toil?” 

As he said it, he drew nearer and nearer 
to the Monkey. Finally the Monkey, 
exasperated by these words and by the 
uselessness of his own efforts, suddenly 
reached out and caught the Bird by the 
wing. Then he struck the Bird against 
a rock with such violence that he died 
instantly. 

This illustrates the verse, 

A razor will not cut a stone, 

And water will not burn; 

So, foolish Bird, try not to teach 
A man that will not learn! 


[ 45 ] 



THE JACKAL AND THE DRUM 

One day a Jackal was roaming about on 
the edge of a forest, when suddenly he 
came upon a place where two armies had 
had a great battle not long before. 

As he looked forth over the battlefield, 
he heard a roaring sound. Now this was 
merely the booming of a drum. It hap- 
pened that the strong wind drove the 
branch of a tree against this drum and 
caused the noise. 

But the Jackal was not familiar with 
drums, and thought with terror, “Alas, 
I am lost! I must be up and away before 
[ 46 ] 


this great roaring monster catches a 
glimpse of me. And yet, without a real 
cause, I ought not to leave the home 
that has been my family’s for generations. 

“In fear and joy consider first 
And never act too fast, 

And then you never need repent 
For what you do at last. 

“So I’ll first see who is making this 
noise!” 

With these words the Jackal gathered 
up his courage and began to investigate. 
Step by step he drew nearer, until finally 
he saw the drum. When the branch was 
swung against it by the wind, it uttered 
the sound, but only then. Having ob- 
served this, the Jackal came up to it and 
hit it a smart blow with his paw. The 
drum gave a great roar. 

The Jackal concluded that it was a big 
animal, helpless from wounds received in 
the battle, and said to himself, “Aha! 

[ 47 ] 


It is a long while since I have eaten such 
a big fellow! He is surely full of flesh, 
blood, and marrow !” 

Thereupon he attacked the hard leather 
head of the drum, and broke one of his 
best teeth while making an opening. Of 
course, he then saw that the whole 
drum was merely a hollow frame of 
wood and leather, and in his disap- 
pointment he said, 

“I thought the thing was full of meat, 

But inside’s not a bite to eat.” 


[ 48 ] 


THE LION MAKERS 


In a certain place lived four young 
Brahmans, bound together by close friend- 
ship. Three of them had thoroughly 
learned all the books of knowledge, but 
that had not taught them common 
sense. The fourth had learned little 
from books, but was naturally clever- 
witted. 

One day they decided to travel in for- 
eign lands, seeking the favor of a rich 
prince. 

After they had been traveling for a 
time, the oldest of them said, “There 
is one of our number who has never 
learned the books of knowledge. Now 
kings have no presents for those who 
have no learning. Let us not give him 
[ 49 ] 


any share in what we receive, but send 
him back home!” 

The second said, “You clever fellow, 
turn around and go home!” 

But the third said, “That is not kind. 
We have played with him from infancy, 
and must not treat him so. Let him go 
with us and have his share!” 

And so they all went on. 

Presently they found the bones of a 
dead Lion under a tree. One said, “Let 
us test our knowledge. Here is a dead 
animal; let us bring, him to life again!” 

A second said, “I know how to put 
the bones together!” 

The third said, “I will provide skin, 
flesh, and blood!” 

The first said, “I will give him life!” 

So one put the bones together, the next 
clothed them with flesh and blood and 
skin, and the other began to provide the 
dead body with life. 


At this point the Clever One, who had 
said nothing all the while, spoke up, 
“That is a Lion! If you bring him to life, 
he will eat us all!” 

But the first one said, “Nonsense! 
In our hands knowledge shall not be 
without fruit.” 

“Then,” said the Clever One, “just 
wait an instant until I climb this tree.” 

A moment later the Lion was restored 
to life, and at once he fell upon and de- 
voured the three. But the Clever One 
stayed up in the tree until the Lion had 
gone away, and then descended and re- 
turned to his home. 

This illustrates the verse, 

All knowledge without sense should be decried ; 

’Twas thus the learned Lion Makers died. 


[ 51 ] 


BELL-EAR AND THE POOR 
WOMAN 


Among the Holy Mountains there lies 
a city named Brahma Town. Not far 
from this city, in the mountains, there 
lived an Ogre named Bell-ear. At least 
this was what everybody believed; but 
here is the truth of the matter. 

Some time before that a thief had 
stolen a bell, had run away with it, and 
had been killed and devoured by a Tiger. 
The bell lay on the ground for a time; 
then it was found by some Monkeys, 
who picked it up, and were much pleased 
with its ringing when they shook it. So 
they kept ringing it all the time. 

Now the people in the city knew that 
the man had been killed and eaten. 

[ 52 ] 


When they heard the sound of the bell 
all the time, they thought that there 
was an Ogre out there with a bell, looking 
for men to eat; and they called him Bell- 
ear. They were so frightened that many 
of them left home and went to other 
cities to live. 

But there was a poor woman in the 
city who was not to be terrified without 
a reason, and she went out into the 
woods to see what caused the noise. 
There she soon found that the noise 
was caused by some Monkeys ringing the 
bell. 

So she went to the king of the city 
and said to him, “My lord, if you will 
reward me well, I will make Bell-ear leave 
this part of the country.” 

The king was pleased and gave her 
a heavy purse full of gold. Upon this, 
to make a great impression on every- 
body, she performed many magic cere- 
[ 53 ] 


monies, and offered sacrifices to the 
gods. 

Finally, taking a great quantity of 
fruit, she went out alone into the woods. 
Here she scattered the fruit upon the 
ground. The Monkeys dropped the bell 
and hurried to eat the fruit. 

While they were thus occupied, the 
woman picked up the bell and went back 
to the city, hiding the bell under a rock 
by the way. The people, no longer 
hearing the ringing of the bell, thought 
that she had driven the Ogre away for- 
ever, and they honored her as their 
benefactor all the rest of her life. 

This illustrates the saying, 

Of just a sound be not afraid, 

Unless the cause you know; 

A woman poor did stop a bell, 

And very famous grow. 


[ 54 ] 


THE THREE FISHES 


Once upon a time some fishermen 
came to the shores of Lake Blooming- 
Lotus. Looking into the water, they said, 
“ Aha, the lake is full of fish, and we must 
cast our nets here! But it is too late to- 
day; we’ll return to-morrow.” 

Three of the Fishes in the lake were 
very close friends. One of these, named 
Forethought, heard the dreadful words, 
and calling his two friends, said, “Alas, 
good friends, did you hear what these 
fishermen were saying? They will return 
to-morrow and catch us all. Let us be off 
at once to another lake. It is unsafe to 
stay here any longer.” 

But the second, Readywit, said, “The 
very idea! They may not come back 
[ 55 ] 


at all; but if they do, then I will devise a 
scheme to save myself. He alone is 
clever who knows how to escape from a 
misfortune into which he has already 
fallen.” 

The third Fish, What-will-be, laughed 
and said, “This is not the only lake with 
fish in it. But if they do come back, 
after all we cannot live longer than our 
allotted time, whatever we do. 

“What is to happen, must take place, 

And what is not, can not; 

Our worries all will vanish, if 
This thought be not forgot. 

“A mere chance word of some fisherman 
shall not make me leave the home of my 
father and grandfathers.” 

So Forethought swam away alone to 
another lake, leaving his two friends be- 
hind. 

On the next day the fishermen returned, 
cast their nets, and caught every fish in 


the lake. When the nets were hauled 
in, Readywit remained motionless, as 
though dead. The fishermen thought, 
“This big fish has died of its struggles,” 
and picking him out of the net, laid him 
on the bank. Then with a quick move- 
ment of his tail he threw himself back 
into the water and escaped. 

On the other hand, What-will-be merely 
tried to pass through the meshes of the 
net, which was of course quite impos- 
sible; and the fishermen struck him with 
sticks and killed him. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Friend Forethought and friend Readywit 
Escaped from death and pain; 

What-will-be, caught within the net, 

By fishermen was slain. 


THE CROWS AND THE SNAKE 


In a huge banyan tree lived a pair of 
Crows, and below them, in the hollow of 
the tree, a Snake had his home. Every 
time the Crows had a brood of little birds 
the Snake crawled up to their nest and 
devoured them. 

Presently Mrs. Crow said, “ Husband, 
let us move our home to another tree; for 
as long as we remain here in this tree we 
shall always lose our children. Even our 
own lives are not safe. 

“ False friends, bad slaves, a home with snakes: 

From all of these, sure death one takes.” 

Mr. Crow replied, “My dear, let us 
see if something cannot be done to get 
rid of this Snake. Perhaps our friend the 
Jackal can help us.” 

[ 58 ] 



The Crows then went to see the Jackal, 
who lived in a hole at the foot of another 
tree not far away and was their closest 
friend. They said to him, “Dear friend, 
tell us what we must do. A great Snake 
comes out of the hollow of our tree and 
eats our children. We, too, are daily in 
danger of our lives. Tell us how to get 
rid of him.” 

The Jackal replied, “Do not worry. 
Of course it will take a clever trick — and 
here it is. Go to the city and carry off 
from the king or from some other rich 
man a necklace or jewel and drop it into 
[59] 


the hollow where the Snake lives. Then 
he is sure to be killed.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Crow at once flew to the 
city and watched for their opportunity. 
Presently they saw the king’s son come 
from the palace and walk out into the 
pleasure park to a clear and shining pool, 
where he was accustomed to bathe. He 
took a golden chain from his neck and 
laid it on a rock beside the pool, and en- 
tered the water. One of the Crows forth- 
with picked up the chain in his beak, and 
flew away with it. 

The prince’s attendants, running after 
them to recover it, were just in time to 
see them drop it into the hollow of the 
tree. The men climbed the tree and 
looked into the hollow. This disturbed 
the Snake, and he put his head out 
angrily toward them. To protect them- 
selves, they killed him with blows of 
their sticks. In this way they recovered 
[ 60 ] 


the chain, which they carried back to 
the prince. 

After that, the Crows were undisturbed, 
and reared a numerous family in safety 
and content. 

This illustrates the verse, 

A thing that is beyond your strength, 

Your cleverness may gain; 

The little Crows, to kill a Snake, 

Did use a golden chain. 


[611 


SPOTTED-COAT'S CAPTIVITY 

Spotted-coat was a young Gazelle, 
who roamed about with the herd, and 
often ran ahead of the others, for he was 
a lively creature. 

Now Gazelles have two gaits, the run- 
ning and the jumping, and the latter is 
very useful in avoiding nets spread by 
hunters on the grass. One day the herd 
came to some nets, and passed by them 
with the jumping gait — all but poor 
Spotted-coat, who had run ahead of the 
rest and become entangled in the hunters' 
nets. 

The hunter came out of the place where 
he was hiding, and picked up Spotted- 
coat to carry him off — he seemed too 
small and young to kill; and the rest of 
[ 62 ] 


the herd scurried away, having no hope 
of rescuing him. 

The hunter, finding the Gazelle a 
gentle creature, gave him to the young 
son of the king to be a pet. The prince, 
delighted, gave the hunter a large reward 
for his kindness, and then had Spotted- 
coat bathed and perfumed and fed with 
dainty foods. The ladies of the court and 
the children all became very fond of him, 
and petted him until he was weary of 
being stroked and fondled. 

One day Spotted-coat came to the side 
of the prince as he was lying half asleep, 
and said — for by the association with 
men he had learned to speak — 

“When shall I my old kinsmen gain 
And run with them in wind and rain?” 

The prince was much startled and said, 
“Who spoke?” 

He looked all about him and seeing 
only the Gazelle, thought, “Was it a 
[ 63 ] 


man or a beast that spoke? I must be 
going crazy.” 

With shaking steps he went out and 
told what had happened. He called 
doctors and magicians, and promised a 
great reward and high honors to him who 
could cure him. 

Meanwhile the poor Gazelle was beaten 
and stoned until an old sage said, “Do 
not hurt the poor creature! He is but a 
Gazelle, even if he has learned to speak 
because he has been with men so long. 
He merely desires to be once more with 
his own kind, and has expressed to you 
his wish. Is not this all that troubles 
you?” 

At this, the prince, who had been 
shivering and shaking as if with fever — 
though it was only the effect of his terror— 
came to himself again and ordered his 
attendants to bathe Spotted-coat and 
then lead him out into the forest. 

[ 64 ] 


And when this was done, Spotted- 
coat rejoined his friends and kinsmen, 
who welcomed him gladly; and he lived 
with them much more happily than in 
the splendid palace. 

This illustrates the verse, 

There’s luxury in palaces, 

But not much real content ; 

On joining kith and kin at home 
The pet Gazelle was bent. 


THE SINGING ASS 


In a certain place there was an Ass, 
who in the daytime carried burdens for a 
washerman; but at night he roamed 
around at will. 

One night he struck up a friendship 
with a Jackal. Then the two together 
broke down fences and wandered into 
melon-patches, where they ate as much 
as they wished. Before dawn the Jackal 
went back into the forest and the Ass 
returned to his master’s stable. 

One night the Ass said to the Jackal, 
“Dear cousin, see how bright and beau- 
tiful the night is! I feel that I must sing 
of its beauties. Tell me in what style I 
shall sing.” 

The Jackal replied, “Don’t make any 
[ 66 ] 


useless noise! We are doing thieves y 
work, and thieves should keep quiet. 

“ Beside that, your voice is not exactly 
melodious. And when the farmers hear 
you, they will rush out and capture you, 
to put you to death. So just eat these 
delicious melons and don’t bother about 
singing!” 

But the Ass said, “Alas, you do not 
understand the charm of music. You 
live out in the woods.” 

“That may be true,” said the Jackal, 
“but I do not like your voice. Anyhow, 
why disturb our proceeding here with 
the melons?” 

The Ass said indignantly, “Nonsense! 
I know all about music, and you are an 
ignorant fellow.” 

“Well,” answered the Jackal, “if you 
must sing, I will go to the garden gate 
and watch for the farmer; then sing as 
much as you like!” 


[ 67 ] 


So the Ass stretched out his head and 
began to bray. The farmer, roused by 
the noise, gnashed his teeth in anger, 
seized a club, rushed out into the garden 
and beat the Ass until he fell down help- 
less on the ground. Then he tied the 
animal to a heavy log of wood; thinking 
that it would keep him a prisoner until 
morning, and returned to his bed. 

But as soon as the farmer had dis- 
appeared, the Ass sprang to his feet and 
dashed off through the fence, dragging 
the log after him; and try as he might, 
he could not free himself from it. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Tis well to have your conscience clear, 

If you desire to sing; 

Bad company and evil deeds 
Just punishment will bring. 


[ 68 ] 


THE TORTOISE AND THE GEESE 


Near Lake Blooming-Lotus there lived 
two Geese and their friend, a Tortoise. 

One day some fishermen came to the 
shore of the lake, and said to each other, 
“We will stay here over night and to- 
morrow we will catch all the fishes and 
tortoises in this lake.” 

The Tortoise heard these words and 
said to the two Geese, “My friends, I 
have heard these fishermen talk about 
catching all the fishes and the tortoises. 
What can I do to save my life?” 

The two Geese replied, “Let us first 
find out just what will happen. Then 
we will do the right thing for the oc- 
casion.” 

“Not so,” said the Tortoise, “for I see 
[ 69 ] 


sure death ahead for me here; my only 
chance is to go to another lake.” 

“If you reach another lake,” answered 
the two Geese, “ you will certainly be safe; 
but how are you to cross the land? ” 

The Tortoise said, “A plan has occurred 
to me by which you can carry me through 
the air.” 

“What is your plan?” asked the two. 

“You two must take the ends of a 
stick in your beaks,” replied the Tortoise, 
“ and I will hang to the middle of it by my 
mouth. In this way you can fly to an- 
other lake, carrying me along comfort- 
ably.” 

“This is indeed a clever plan,” an- 
swered the two Geese, “ but you must con- 
sider whether it may not have its dangers. 
When men see us carrying you, they will 
be surprised and make remarks about it; 
and if you answer them, you will lose 
your hold on the stick and fall to the 
[ 70 ] 


ground and be killed. It is better for 
you to stay here.” 

“Oh,” said the Tortoise, “I am not 
such a fool as that. I won’t say a word.” 

And so the two Geese started to carry 
the Tortoise through the air to another 
lake. 

Then, just as the Geese had said, the 
cowherds in the fields were greatly aston- 
ished and began to run after them, saying, 
“0 a great marvel! Two birds carrying 
a tortoise!” 

Then one of them said, “If this tor- 
toise falls, we will cook and eat him right 
here.” 

Another said, “No, we’ll carry him 
home.” 

A third said, “No, we’ll cook him and 
eat him by the lake.” 

At these cruel words, the Tortoise be- 
came angry and forgetting his resolve, 
cried out, “No, you’ll eat ashes!” 

[ 71 ] 


But even as he spoke, he fell to the 
ground and was killed at once by the 
cowherds. 

This illustrates the verse, 

To open your mouth seems a very small thing; 

Yet ’twas thus that the poor Tortoise died, — 
Which proves that whenever friends come to your 
aid, 

’Tis well by their words to abide. 


[ 72 ] 


WHEN THIEVES FALL OUT 


There was a poor Brahman who lived 
a humble life, eating frugally and clothing 
himself poorly, even though many men 
gave him fine presents. One day he re- 
ceived two young cows, and these he 
reared carefully, giving them an abun- 
dance of water and hay. Presently a 
thief saw them and at once thought, 
“I will steal these fine cows from the 
Brahman !” 

At evening the thief set out to the 
dwelling of the Brahman, taking a rope 
with which to lead the cows away. Be- 
fore he reached the place, he met a cu- 
rious looking creature, with teeth far 
apart but very sharp, a long nose, big 
red-rimmed eyes, enormous muscles, red 
[73] 


beard and hair, and his body the color 
of fire. 

On seeing him, the thief was filled with 
terror, but asked, “Who are you?” 

“I am an Ogre that eats Brahmans,” 
answered the other. “Tell me who you 
are.” 

The thief replied, “I am a thief on my 
way to steal a pair of cows from a Brah- 
man.” 

“Good sir,” said the Ogre, “it is just 
time for me to eat another meal; I will 
eat the Brahman while you steal his 
cows.” 

So together they came to the dwelling 
of the Brahman, and hid themselves until 
the Brahman was asleep. Then they set 
about their tasks. 

But just as the Ogre was about to 
seize the man, the thief said, “Wait until 
I drive off the cows before you eat your 
man.” 


[ 74 ] 


“Not at all,” said the Ogre, “for the 
cows may make some noise when you 
drive them off, and thus arouse the Brah- 
man; and then all my efforts will be in 
vain.” 

The thief insisted, “But you may wake 
him yourself and he will prevent me from 
taking the cows. Let me steal the cows 
first, and then you may eat your Brah- 
man!” 

While they thus quarreled, each in- 
sisting that he should be first, the Brah- 
man was aroused by the noise, and sat up. 
The thief said to him, “Brahman, this 
Ogre wishes to eat you!” And the Ogre 
said, “Brahman, this thief wishes to 
steal your cows!” 

Now even an Ogre that can swallow 
a man whole is not to be feared by a man 
who is awake and knows the prayer for 
use against Ogres. So our honest Brah- 
man, seeing what the trouble was, rose 
[ 75 ] 


to his feet and drove off the Ogre With 
this prayer, while he brought his staff 
down with a good crack upon the head of 
the thief. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Our foes will often serve us well, 

If once they fall to strife; 

The Ogre saved the Brahman’s cows; 

He owes the thief his life. 


[ 76 ] 



THE YOUNG JACKAL IN THE 
LION'S FAMILY 


In a certain forest region there lived 
once upon a time a pair of Lions, with 
two cubs. Mr. Lion went out daily to 
kill game, and then brought his prey home 
to his wife. 

But one day he found nothing, until, 
just at dusk, he came across a young 
Jackal. Seeing how young and helpless 
he was, the Lion took him carefully be- 
tween his teeth and carried him home to 
Mrs. Lion without injuring him in the 
least. 

She said to him, “My dear, have you 
brought me something to eat?" 

1 77 ] 


“I have found nothing to-day,” he re- 
plied, “but this young Jackal, and because 
he seemed so young and so helpless, I did 
not kill him; besides, he is a flesh-eater 
like ourselves. Now take him, and may 
he agree with your digestion!” 

Mrs. Lion said, “My dear, if you 
spared him from pity, how may I slay 
him? No; he shall be my third son.” 
So she reared him with her own two cubs. 

The three young ones, without real- 
izing their difference, played together 
daily. As they grew older, they began 
to wander out together into the forest. 

One day they came upon an Elephant. 
The two young Lions were eager to 
attack him, but the young Jackal said, 
“Oh! That is a natural enemy of ours, 
far too strong for us!” and ran home as 
fast as he could. 

Through his cowardice, the other two 
lost their courage also, and ran home. 

[ 78 ] 


For there is a very true saying, 

A single steadfast soldier often makes an army 
brave; 

A single coward makes them run, and try their 
lives to save. 

When all were safe and sound at home, 
the two spoke scornfully to their parents 
of the conduct of their brother, who had 
run away as soon as he saw an Elephant 
in the distance. 

The young Jackal became exceedingly 
angry; his lips twitched, his eyes blazed, 
his eyebrows came together in a frown, 
and he made the most savage threats 
at them. 

Mrs. Lion took him aside and said to 
him, “My child, speak not so! They are 
your brothers.” 

But he continued, “Am I inferior, 
then, in any way, in bravery, in appear- 
ance, in dexterity, in zeal for knowledge, 
that they should mock me? I will kill 
them both!” 


[79] 


Mrs. Lion, inwardly amused, but de- 
siring to save the life of her foster-child, 
said to him, 

“ You’re quite a hero, son, and are 
With courage filled; 

Yet Elephants by such as you 
Are seldom killed. 

“Hear then the whole truth, my child! 
You are a Jackal's son, whom I in pity 
have reared with my own cubs; go now 
at once to your own kinsmen, while your 
foster-brothers are still ignorant of your 
nature. Otherwise you will some day 
meet death at their hands." 

After he heard this, the young Jackal 
in bewilderment and terror crept quietly 
away and joined his own kinsmen. 

This illustrates the verse, 

We should not try to be what we are not; 

A Jackal’s not a Lion, by a lot! 


THE ELEPHANTS AND THE MICE 


There is a certain district rich in ponds, 
fields, houses, and temples. Here Mice 
had settled long ago, and here they had 
lived and died, generation after genera- 
tion. Now there were countless thou- 
sands of them, dwelling close to one an- 
other in the houses of men and in clefts 
of the earth. They lived happily, eating 
and drinking and making merry. 

One day an Elephant King, followed 
by a vast herd, came down to the pond 
to drink. On their way the huge animals 
broke through the houses of the Mice, 
crushing the poor little creatures into the 
earth. 

The Mice who escaped said to one an- 
other, “If these evil Elephants come back 
[ 81 ] 


this way, they will leave not one of us 
alive. Let us devise a plan to get us out 
of our difficulty.” 

After consideration, some of the Mice 
went to the pond, bowed before the Ele- 
phant King, and said, “Your Majesty, 
in this place we have lived from long ago; 
now by your coming we have been slain 
by the thousands. If you return by the 
same way, we shall be slain to the very 
last. Have pity upon us, and return by 
another route; for surely we may some 
day be of help to you.” 

The Elephant King heard, reflected a 
little, and then said, “It shall be done 
as you ask.” 

Some time afterward, a certain king 
ordered his hunters to catch Elephants. 
They made a great pit beside the pond, 
and in this caught a great number of 
the herd, including the Elephant King. 
Three days later, when the Elephants 
[ 82 ] 


were weakened with hunger, the hunters 
bound them with ropes, led them out 
of the pit, and fastened them to huge 
trees, leaving them thus for the night. 

The Elephant King, after the hunters 
had departed, said to himself, “How are 
we to be set free? I can think of no one to 
help us but the Mice.” So he called an- 
other Elephant — one who had not fallen 
into the pit, but had come to see his old 
comrades and to help them if he could — 
and said to him, “Summon the Mice to 
our assistance.” 

This Elephant went to the Mice and 
said, “My King and all his herd have been 
captured by hunters. He asks you to 
come and set them free, if you can do 
this.” 

The Mouse King replied, “On one oc- 
casion you spared us; now we will show 
that we can repay your kindness.” 

Then the Mice went by tens of thou- 


sands to help the Elephants. They 
gnawed through the ropes that bound 
the Elephant King and his herd, and 
set them free. 

Thus did the Mice display their grati- 
tude to the Elephants, and showed that 
even the small and weak may do great 
services to the large and strong. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Think not a friend may be too small 
To help you in your need; 

The mighty Elephants fast bound, 

The tiny Mice once freed. 


[ 84 ] 


THE GEESE AND THE CLIMBING 
VINES 


A flock of Geese lived in a forest, on a 
great silk-cotton tree. One day, toward 
sunset, a hunter passed under the tree 
just as the Goose King and his followers 
returned to the tree for the night. 

Seeing them, he reflected sadly, “ What 
tricks fate plays on us! If I could only 
spread my nets in this tree, I might catch 
the whole flock of Geese. But it is ab- 
solutely impossible to climb the tree. 
However, I will plant the seeds of climb- 
ing vines, and they will ascend the tree 
and serve me as a ladder.” 

So he sowed the seeds at the foot of the 
tree and went away. 

Soon the vines began to grow. An old 
[ 85 ] 


Goose named Splendor-of-Nectar called 
the Geese together and said, “Do you 
not see these vines? Let us pull them up 
by the roots now, while we can. Other- 
wise they will cover the tree, and serve 
some hunter as a ladder; and he will de- 
stroy us all. 

“Neglect the little dangers, no one should; 

A tiny fire may grow and burn a wood.” 

But the younger Geese all said, “What 
is this nonsense that the old fellow is 
saying? ” and paid no heed to his ad- 
vice. 

The vines grew fast and soon covered 
the tree. Then, in the daytime while 
the Geese were away seeking food, the 
hunter came back, ascended the tree, and 
spread his nets. 

At evening the Geese returned to their 
home, and in the gathering darkness they 
were all caught in the nets — all except 
the cautious Splendor-of-Nectar, who 
[86] 


had perched at the very top of the tree 
ever since he had noticed the vines. 

Then the captured Geese began to 
struggle and to cry. After they had given 
up in despair, Splendor-of-Nectar said 
to them, “Stupids! You now see the 
consequence of not following my advice. 
What are you going to do?” 

The captives cried out to him, “Yes, 
our eyes were blind, and we could not see 
the coming danger. Honorable sir, tell 
us what to do.” 

He replied, “When the hunter comes, 
remain motionless with your heads hang- 
ing down and your eyes rolled up, as 
though you were dead. He will climb 
the tree, and thinking you dead, will 
throw you to the ground. Remain quiet 
there until I give you the signal to fly 
away.” 

When the hunter came, he thought the 
Geese were all dead; so he threw them one 
[87] 


by one to the ground, intending later to 
gather them up. 

But just as soon as he had thrown 
down the last one, the old Goose in the 
top of the tree raised his voice, and at 
this sign the Geese on the ground came 
to life and flew away, leaving behind the 
most astonished hunter in all India. 

This illustrates the verse, 

E’en kings should heed an aged counselor’s words; 
The aged Goose set free the captive birds. 



THE LION AND THE CARPENTER 


In a certain village there lived a car- 
penter who went every day into the forest 
to cut down trees and split them into 
beams. Toward noon his wife would 
bring him a fine bowl of rice and other 
foods, for his midday meal. 

Now in this forest there dwelt also a 
Lion, with two attendants, a Jackal and 
a Crow. One day, as the Lion was walking 
alone, he saw the carpenter and started 
toward him. The carpenter thought that 
he was as good as dead, but reflected, 
“My only chance is to act boldly.” 

So he went to meet the Lion, and said 
[ 89 ] 


with a bow, “Come, Brother, come and 
join me at my luncheon!” 

“My dear sir,” replied the Lion, “I do 
not eat cooked food, for I am a flesh- 
eater; but yet I will try your fare.” 

Then the carpenter gave the Lion 
various kinds of sugared cakes and cook- 
ies. The Lion was pleased with his new 
food, and in gratitude promised him that 
he should not be disturbed by any of the 
beasts in the wood. The carpenter said 
to him, “Dear friend, come every day 
and you shall eat with me. But do not 
bring any one with you.” 

Thus a close friendship grew up be- 
tween the two; and the Lion gave up hunt- 
ing, since he preferred his new diet. At 
once the Jackal and the Crow, who had 
formerly fed upon the leavings of the 
Lion’s dinner, began to be pinched with 
hunger. When they saw him returning 
in the early afternoon, looking very well 


fed, they said, “ Master, tell us where 
you go every day, and why you return 
with such a satisfied expression!” 

The Lion at first said that he did not 
go anywhere, but finally admitted the 
facts: “A friend of mine comes hither 
every day, and we dine together upon 
the excellent foods which his wife has 
prepared.” 

The two said, “Let us all go together, 
and kill the man, that we may eat his 
flesh and blood; for we, at any rate, are 
hungry.” 

“Not so,” returned the Lion, “for I 
have promised him complete safety in 
this forest. But I will take you with me 
and ask him to give you whatever is left 
over of these delicious foods.” To this 
they agreed. 

When the carpenter saw the Lion with 
his two evil companions coming towards 
him, he thought, “Here is misfortune 
[ 91 ] 


coming my way!” and climbed a tree as 
quickly as he could. 

When the Lion came up, he was much 
astonished and said, “Why do you climb 
a tree when you see me coming? I am 
your friend, and you have no reason to 
fear!” 

But the carpenter, without leaving his 
place, said, 

“ I climbed the tree because I know 
A Lion, Jackal, and a Crow 
Bring nothing to a man but woe. 

“ I trust you, my friend, but not your 
two companions.” 

This illustrates the verse, 

The evil courtiers that surround a king 
Oft to untimely ends the good men bring. 


[ 92 ] 


TWO MARVELS 


Once upon a time in a certain city 
there dwelt two merchants, named For- 
tunate and Joyous. Fortunate lost his 
property, and planned to wander in 
other countries, for 

Who’s lost his money from his hands, 
Should try his luck in foreign lands. 

He had in his house a valuable weighing 
machine of iron, which he had inherited 
from his father and his grandfather. 
Having entrusted this to the care of his 
friend Joyous, he set out upon his travels. 

After long wanderings, he returned to 
his home city not a bit richer than when 
he left home. He went to Joyous and 
said, “Good friend, return to me my 
weighing machine.” 

[ 93 ] 


Joyous replied, “Alas, it is not here! 
The mice have eaten it.” 

Fortunate reflected, “That’s a fine 
story! How could mice eat a set of scales 
weighing half a ton?” Aloud he said, 
“Well, well! How could the mice be kept 
from it! Iron makes such sweet and ten- 
der eating.” 

Joyous was pleased at this, and invited 
the returned wanderer to dinner. First, 
however, the guest wished to bathe in the 
river near by, and the host sent his son 
to carry the towels. 

Fortunate seized the boy and put him 
into a cave on the bank of the river, and 
then closed the mouth of the cave with 
a great rock. When he returned to the 
house, Joyous asked him, “Fortunate, 
where is my son who went with you to 
the river?” 

Fortunate replied, “Alas! He was 
carried away through the air by a hawk! ” 
[ 94 ] 


The other said angrily/ “ You wretch! 
How could a hawk carry off a boy? Give 
me back my son, or I will take you before 
the king for judgment.” 

Fortunate returned, “You truthful 
man, if a hawk cannot carry off a boy, 
then mice cannot eat a heavy iron weigh- 
ing machine. If you want your son, give 
me my scales!” 

Thus quarreling, the two went to the 
palace of the king. Joyous complained 
loudly, “0 woe! A dreadful deed has 
been done: this thief has stolen away my 
child!” 

Then the judges said to Fortunate, 
“Come! give back to this merchant 
his son.” 

But he replied, “How can I? A hawk 
carried him off from the river-bank 
through the air, before my very eyes!” 

The judges said, “You speak falsely. 
How could a hawk fly away with a boy?” 

[ 95 ] 


Then Fortunate replied with a smile, 
“ Ah , remember the old saying, 

“ If mice can eat up scales of iron 
As though a candy toy, 

A hawk can lift an elephant, — 

Say nothing of a boy!” 

The judges inquired what this meant, 
and Fortunate told them the story of his 
weighing machine. The judges were 
much amused, and laughed loud and long. 
Then they made Joyous give Fortunate 
his scales, and Fortunate give Joyous 
his son. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Transparent lying surely fails; 

The son was traded for the scales. 


[96] 


THE BOOKWORMS 


In a certain place dwelt four young 
Brahmans, who decided to travel in for- 
eign lands in quest of learning. They 
came to a great city, and entered a mon- 
astery, where they studied hard for 
twelve years. 

At the end of that time they said to one 
another, “We have now arrived at the 
boundaries of human knowledge. Let us 
ask our teacher to give us permission to 
return home.” Securing his permission 
for this, they took their books and started 
out. 

Presently they saw an Ass standing by 
a graveyard. The first one said, “What 
is that?” 

The second one quickly opened his book 
[ 97 ] 


and read the first verse that he saw: “He 
who stands is a cousin/ ' 

All cried out, “Then he is our cousin !” 
One embraced him about the neck, an- 
other washed his feet. 

While still there, they saw a Camel. 
The third read from his book, “Quick is 
the pace of Righteousness.” 

All cried out, “Then this is Righteous- 
ness! We must bring our cousin into the 
way of Righteousness,” and fastened the 
Ass to the Camel's neck. At this moment 
the washerman who owned the Ass came 
up to give the learned blockheads a good 
beating, but they were off too quickly. 

The next day they came to a river 
which ran across their way. As they 
looked at it, wondering how to cross, the 
fourth youth saw a green leaf floating 
down the stream, and remembering a 
text from his book, said, “The leaf that 
comes will set us over." On saying this, 


he promptly threw himself into the water 
and grasped the leaf; but the current 
carried him off his feet. 

The first of the party immediately be- 
thought himself of a suitable text and 
said, 

“When loss doth threaten all, the cunning man 
will choose 

To save the half; ’tis hard for him the whole to 
lose.” 

With that, he reached out, seized his 
drowning companion by the hair, swung 
his sword, and cut off the man’s head. 
With the head, thus saved in accordance 
with the precept, they went on. 

At nightfall they came to a village 
where they were hospitably received by 
the villagers, who entertained the three 
Brahmans in different houses. 

The first one’s host set before him some 
fine spaghetti prepared with butter and 
sugar. The youth looked at it, consulted 


his book, and read, “Who takes long 
threads, will die.” So he left the food un- 
touched and went away. 

The second one, seeing flat tarts with 
beaten white of egg before him, consulted 
his book and read, “ What is too thin and 
too big, lives not long.” So he, too, left 
the house without dinner. 

The third one was offered sponge cake. 
He looked into his book, read, “ Where 
holes are, there is evil found,” and left 
the house. 

Then the three stupid Wise Men, hun- 
gry and dinnerless, went from the village, 
followed by the jeers of the villagers. 

This illustrates the verse, 

The men who know naught of the world, 

But all from books do learn, 

They, like the stupid Brahman youths, 

But jeers and scoffings earn. 


[100] 


THE MOUSE THAT BECAME A 
MAID 


Beside the Ganges River there was a 
hermitage, where many sages and their 
families dwelt, living and dressing fru- 
gally, and acquiring superhuman powers 
by their pious meditation. 

One day one of the sages went to bathe 
in the Ganges. As he was coming out of 
the water, a Hawk flying overhead 
dropped a young Mouse from his beak 
into the sage’s hand. The sage laid it on 
a leaf beside the water, bathed again, and 
then by his superhuman power turned 
the creature from a Mouse into a little 
girl. 

He took her home with him and said to 
his wife, “My dear, we have no children. 

[ 101 ] 


Therefore take this little one, and rear 
her as our daughter.” 

So the Maid that had been a Mouse 
was brought up carefully, much beloved 
by her foster parents. 

When, at last, she had grown up to be 
a beautiful young woman, the sage’s wife 
said to him, “ Husband, do you not see 
that it is time to arrange the marriage of 
our daughter?” 

The sage replied, “ Quite right. We 
must find some one worthy to be her hus- 
band. Do you not think that the Sun 
God would be worthy to have her for his 
bride?” 

“ Surely no objection could be made to 
him,” replied his wife. 

The sage, with magic sayings from the 
Holy Books, called the Sun into his pres- 
ence, and said to him, “Here is my daugh- 
ter. If she will have you, take her to be 
your wife.” 


[102] 


Then he said to the Maid, “ Daughter, 
will you have the exalted Sun God as your 
husband?” 

But she said, “Dear Father, he is too 
hot, and I do not want him. Call another 
and better one.” 

The sage said then to the Sun, “ Exalted 
One, is there any one mightier than you? ” 

“Yes,” answered the Sun, “the Cloud 
is mightier than I, for when he covers 
me, I cannot be seen.” 

The sage then called the Cloud into 
his presence and said to the Maid, 
“Daughter, shall I give you as wife to 
this one?” 

She replied, “Father, he is too black 
and cold. Give me to another mighty 
being!” 

So the sage asked the Cloud, “Hear 
me, 0 Cloud! Is there any one mightier 
than you?” 


[1031 


The Cloud answered, “The Wind is 
mightier than I, for when he smites me, 
I burst into a thousand pieces.” 

The sage then called the Wind and 
said to the Maid, “Daughter, will you 
take the Wind as husband?” 

“Dear Father,” answered the girl, “he 
is too inconstant. Summon another and 
a mightier one!” 

“Wind,” asked the sage, “is there a 
mightier one than you?” 

“The Mountain,” said the Wind, “is 
mightier than I am, for with all my efforts 
I cannot move him an inch.” 

The sage then summoned the Mountain 
and said to the Maid, “Daughter, shall 
I give you to this one?” 

But she answered, “Dear Father, he is 
too hard and pitiless. Give me to an- 
other.” 


[ 104 ] 


The sage asked the Mountain, “Hear 
me, King of Mountains! Is there another 
mightier than you?” 

The Mountain replied, “Mightier than 
I are the Mice, who force their way 
through me.” 

The sage then summoned the King of 
the Mice, and said to the Maid, “Daugh- 
ter, shall I give you to this one to be his 
wife? Does the Mouse King please you? ” 

She, filled with joy at seeing her own 
kind, said, “Dearest Father, make me a 
Mouse and give me to him as wife, that 
I may dwell in his home!” 

And so the sage turned her back to a 
Mouse and wedded her to the Mouse 
King. 

This illustrates the verse, 

Not Sun or Cloud, nor Mountain, nor the Wind, 
The Mouse-Maid chose to wed; for kind seeks 
kind. 


[1051 



Beside a pond full of lotus flowers, 
dwelt an aged Heron who had lost his 
strength and was unable to catch his 
natural food, the Fishes. Tortured by 
hunger, he stood on one foot beside the 
pond, motionless as a lotus flower, while 
tears as big as pearls dropped from his 
eyes. 

The Fishes watched him in astonish- 
ment, and at last a Crab, staying at a 
safe distance, asked him, “Dear sir, why 
are you not busied to-day with the getting 
of your food? You only stand there, 
sighing and weeping.” 

[ 106 ] 


“Alas / 5 answered the Heron, “I have 
renounced everything in this life, and 
am resolved to starve myself to death! 
Therefore I would not eat a Fish, even 
though he came to me.” 

The Crab, his curiosity roused, asked, 
“Good sir, what is the cause of this?” 

The Heron replied, “My child, here 
beside this pond I was born, and here I 
have grown old. But now from a prophet 
I have heard that a drought of twelve 
years is at hand. This pond will be 
utterly dried up, and all my old friends 
will perish, for they take no thought of 
their danger. Elsewhere all water animals 
are seeking the great lakes that never 
become dry; but no one here does so. 
And because I am about to lose all my 
friends, I am determined to end my life 
by fasting.” 

The Fishes, hearing his words, reflected, 
“He is by nature an enemy, but in this 
[107] 


case he seems to be doing us a service. 
Let us ask him what we shall do, for there 
is a saying, 

“Not on a harmful friend, but on 
A helpful foe, depend; 

A harmer really is a foe, 

A helper is a friend.” 

So they said to the Heron, “0 Heron, 
how can we reach a place of safety?” 

He replied, “Not very far away there 
is a great lake that would not become dry 
even if no rain should come for four and 
twenty years. If you will mount upon my 
back one by one, I will carry you thither.” 

Then the Fishes all swam as close as 
they could to him and cried, “Father! 
Uncle! Brother! Take me first! Me 
first! Me first!” 

So the Heron took one on his back, 
and flew off to a great rock just out of 
sight of the pond, where he threw the 
Fish down and ate him. Then he re- 
[108] 


turned and gave the others the good news 
that his passenger was now safe in the 
great lake. 

Thus for many days he carried off the 
Fishes and ate them. At last the Crab 
said to him, “ Remember, I was your 
first friend among the water animals. Do 
not leave me here to die, but attend now 
to the saving of my life!” 

The Heron, tired of fish meat, and 
eager for the delicious meat of the Crab, 
consented, and flew away with him. 
Presently the Crab saw in the distance 
the rock all covered with piles of fish- 
bones. Instantly realizing what had hap- 
pened, he reflected, “Alas, poor wretch 
that I am, my day has come! Yet I will 
do what I can to save myself, for 

“It is no shame to feel afraid 
If danger’s not yet here; 

But when the danger has arrived, 

Strike hard and feel no fear. 

[109] 


And if without a fight there is 
No safety for a man, 

The sage dies fighting ’gainst his foe, 

And harms him all he can.” 

Thereupon the Crab with his claw 
nipped the Heron’s neck right in two. 
This illustrates the verse, 

Deceit, though thriving for a time, 

Is punished soon or late. 

Thus, by the nippers of the Crab, 

The Heron met his fate. 


[HO] 


THE SANDPIPER AND THE SEA 


On the sandy shore beside the Ocean 
dwelt a Sandpiper and his wife. “ Hus- 
band/' said Mrs. Sandpiper one spring 
day, “let us seek a place suitable for 
our nest.” 

“Why should we look farther?” asked 
Mr. Sandpiper. “Is not this very spot 
a good one?” 

“No, my husband,” returned Mrs. 
Sandpiper, “it is not, for at the time of 
full moon the high tide entirely covers it 
with water.” 

But her husband replied, “My dear, 
am I so helpless that the Sea can get the 
better of me in my own house?” 

Mrs. Sandpipper laughed, and said, 
“Husband, there is some difference be- 
lli! ] 


tween you and the great Sea. And yet 

“In tasks untried, ’tis hard to know 
If you can do the work; 

But if you can, then fight it out, 

And never be a shirk.” 

So, following her husband’s words, she 
made her nest on that very spot. 

The Sea was amused by Mr. Sand- 
piper’s words, and to test him, carried 
off all the eggs, while the Sandpipers 
were away seeking food. When they 
returned and saw the nest empty, the 
wife burst into tears and said, “I told 
you that this spot was not safe, and now 
see what has happened!” 

Mr. Sandpiper said, “My dear, speak 
not so. My power has not yet been shown. 
With my bill I will remove all this water.” 

“Ah, my dear,” announced his wife, 
“your bill holds but a single drop of 
water, and the Ganges and the Indus 
and eighteen hundred other rivers flow 
[ 112 ] 


into this Ocean ! But if you will try this, 
then call to your help all the Birds, and 
attempt the task together.” 

Mr. Sandpiper at once called a meeting 
of the Birds; and the Cranes, the Storks, 
the Geese, the Peacocks, and all the rest 
were present. He said to them, “Hear 
my sad words ! The Sea has stolen all my 
eggs. Let us find a means to empty it.” 

But the others said, “We are too weak 
to dry up the Sea.” 

“Then,” said the Sandpiper, “let us 
punish it.” So they all beat the Sea with 
their wings; but it only laughed at them 
for all their efforts. 

Then one of them said, “Let us fill the 
Sea with stones and mud.” So they all 
carried earth and pebbles in their beaks, 
and threw them into the Sea; but this also 
had no effect. 

Finally one said, “We are quite unable 
to fight the mighty Ocean. But there is a 
[ 113 ] 


wise old Swan living under a wild fig 
tree, and he will give us good advice. Let 
us go to him.” And the Swan told them 
to go to Garuda (Ga/ roo da), King of all 
Birds, for help. 

So to Garuda they went and com- 
plained, “Lord and Master, protect us! 
The evil Sea has robbed the good Sand- 
piper of his eggs, and unless it is punished, 
it will destroy us one after another at its 
pleasure.” 

Garuda exclaimed, “That is true!” 

At this moment the messenger of 
Vishnu came to him and said, “Ho 
Garuda, steed of Vishnu! Vishnu, the 
creator, preserver, and destroyer of the 
world and of all its creatures, sends me to 
you, and directs you to come to him to 
carry him to Deathless Town, where he 
will sit in judgment upon the affairs of 
the Gods.” 

“Ah,” said Garuda, “how can I, a 
[ 114 ] 


mere object of scorn, serve the exalted 
Vishnu? Tell him that I respectfully 
ask him to choose another to do him 
this service.” 

The messenger exclaimed, “What, has 
the Exalted One in any way slighted 
you?” 

Garuda replied, “The Sea, the resting 
place of the Exalted One, has stolen away 
the eggs of my attendant the Sandpiper. 
Unless the Sea is punished, I am no longer 
worthy to be the Exalted One’s servant. 
This you may tell him as soon as possi- 
ble.” 

When the exalted Vishnu heard this 
from his messenger, he said, “The anger 
of Garuda is just.” And forthwith he 
set out to appease him. 

When Garuda saw the Ruler of the 
Universe coming to his house, he bowed 
his head in shame, and with humble pros- 
trations begged of him, “0 Exalted One! 

[ 115 ] 


Compel the Sea, I pray you, to restore 
the eggs to the Sandpiper!” 

Vishnu set his fiery arrow upon his bow 
and in threatening manner said to the 
Sea, “You worker of evil, give back the 
eggs to the Sandpiper, or I will cause you 
to become dry! ” 

At this stern command the Sea was 
overcome with fear and restored the eggs. 

This illustrates the verse, 

One’s power only then is seen, 

When all his means are known; 

Old Ocean by Sandpipers small 
In terror once was thrown. 


[ 116 ] 


THE LION AND THE HARE 


On the slopes of a mountain there 
dwelt a Lion named Untamable, who was 
continually killing many more animals 
than he could possibly eat. 

One day the Buffaloes, Gazelles, Hares, 
and all the rest held a meeting to consider 
the matter. Then they went to the Lion 
and said, “Lord and Master, why this 
useless murder of the beasts, when one 
alone is enough to satisfy your hunger? 
Make an agreement with us. From this 
day onward sit here quietly, and one of 
us will come every day to be your food. 
Then you will have enough to eat without 
any effort, and we on the other hand shall 
not be utterly destroyed/' 

Untamable replied, “All that you say 
[ 117 ] 


is true, and I accept the proposal. But 
if any day the chosen animal fails to come 
to me, I will devour you all instantly.” 

“ Agreed,” they said; and now, free 
from danger, they roamed through the 
forest without fear. Every day one an- 
imal went to the Lion at noon to be his 
food — an animal failing with age, or one 
that had renounced all earthly pleasures, 
or one that had lost his wife and children 
and no longer cared for life. 

One day it was the turn of an old Hare. 
Though he was sent off by the others, 
he did not at all wish to be eaten by the 
Lion, and on his way he reflected, 

“Men long to live, but lose their lives, 

Quite helpless through their fear; 

Why meet the Lion like a friend, 

If I must die right here?” 

So he went as slowly as possible, think- 
ing all the while, “Is there not some way 
by which I can save my life?” In con- 
[ 118 ] 


sequence, he came to the Lion long after 
the appointed time; and even before he 
came into sight, the Lion in his hunger was 
licking his chops, and saying to himself, 
“Ha! To-morrow I will exterminate all 
the creatures in this forest!” 

Then the Hare came up slowly, and 
bowed respectfully toward him. The 
Lion, even more angry because it was an 
especially swift-footed animal that was 
so late in coming, said, “You rascally 
Hare, why have you come so late? To- 
morrow I will exterminate all the beasts 
to pay for your fault.” 

The Hare made another deep bow and 
said humbly, “My Lord, neither I nor 
the other beasts are to blame. Graciously 
hear the cause of my delay.” 

“Then tell me quickly,” said the Lion, 
“before you are torn to pieces between 
my teeth!” 

“My Lord,” answered the Hare, “I set 
[ 119 ] 


out to you this morning escorted by four 
Hares. On our way we were stopped by a 
Lion that came out of a cave shouting at 
us, ‘Ho there! Whither are you going? 
Commend yourselves to the God that 
watches over you ! ’ I replied, ‘We are 
going, according to an agreement, to 
King Untamable, that I may be his food/ 

“ The Lion said to me, ‘Then every one 
of the beasts must make a like agreement 
with me, for this forest belongs to me, 
and that Untamable is only a wretched 
highwayman. But if he claims to be 
king, leave these four Hares with me 
as hostages, go to him and summon 
him hither at once, to settle by our 
good right arms which of us shall be 
king here and devour the beasts. ’ With 
that he sent me to you, and that is why I 
am late. Now I am at your service.” 

Hearing this, Untamable said, “Ha! 
he calls me a highwayman, does he? Good 
[ 120 ] 









friend, then show me quickly this villain, 
that I may vent on him the anger that I 
first felt toward the beasts, and may re- 
cover my naturally sweet temper.” 

The Hare went on, “This Lion lives 
in a stronghold. If he comes forth, he 
will press us hard; if he stays inside, he 
will be very hard to overcome.” 

“No matter,” said Untamable, “strong- 
hold or no stronghold, he shall die.” 

“Good! ” said the Hare. “But I must 
warn you that he is tremendously strong.” 

“What’s that to you?” said Untam- 
able. “Take me to him!” 

The Hare now led the Lion toward a 
well, and looking around said, “My Lord, 
who has the boldness to face your Maj- 
esty? The fellow has seen us in the 
distance and has hidden himself in his 
stronghold.” 

Untamable said, “Show me the strong- 
hold!” 


[ 122 ] 


The Hare pointed out the well. Un- 
tamable looked in and saw his own re- 
flection; he uttered a roar of battle, and 
Echo repeated it with double strength. 
Accepting the challenge, he leaped in and 
lost his life in the water. 

But the Hare went home and lived 
happily the rest of his life, and so did the 
other animals, undisturbed by any Lion. 

This illustrates the verse, 

The man of brains has all the power, 

The stupid man has naught; 

By clever planning of the Hare, 

The Lion proud was caught. 


[ 123 ] 



THE DEER, THE CROW, AND THE 
JACKAL 


In a forest lived a Deer, named Dapple- 
coat, ~ and a Crow, who was known as 
Bright-wits. They were great friends. 
One day this Deer, fat and plump, was 
roaming through the woods, when a 
Jackal caught sight of him. At once the 
Jackal said to himself, “How may I get 
his tender flesh to eat? At any rate I 
will win his confidence.” He then ap- 
proached the Deer, and said, “Greeting, 
friend!” 

Dapple-coat said, “Who are you?” 

The Jackal replied, “I am a Jackal, 
[ 124 ] 


and my name is Small-wit. I live here 
alone in the great forest, without rela- 
tives or friends, and am like one dead. 
But with you as my friend, I live again; 
only let me be your attendant and 
servant.” 

The Deer accepted the offer, and at 
sunset went back home with his new 
friend. 

Close by lived the Crow, Bright-wits. 
Seeing the two, he said to the Deer, 
“ Friend Dapple-coat, who is the stranger 
with you?” 

“This is a Jackal,” replied the Deer, 
“who wishes to be our friend.” 

But the Crow said, “My friend, it is 
not right to trust a stranger of whom you 
know nothing.” 

At this the Jackal said angrily to the 
Crow, “When the Deer first saw you, you 
were an utter stranger to him, just as 
much so as I am to-day. How, then, 
[ 125 ] 


have you become such close friends? 
There is a saying, 

“Small-minded men will always ask, 

‘ Is this a foe or friend? ’ 

The noble think, in all the world 
Of friends there is no end. 

“ Therefore you are my friend, just as 
the Deer is.” 

The Deer said, “Why so many words? 
Let us all live here together happily. 
Not nature, but association, makes friends 
and enemies.” 

So they lived happily together for a 
time. But one day, in the absence of the 
Crow, the Jackal said to the Deer, 
“Friend Deer, I know a place in this for- 
est where there is a fine field of standing 
grain. Come with me, and I will show it 
to you.” 

The Deer went with the Jackal to the 
field, and ate until he was satisfied. 
Every day after that, he went back and 
[ 126 ] 


ate more grain, and at last the owner of 
the field, seeing that his grain was being 
eaten, laid snares. 

The next day the Deer was caught. 
As he stood there helpless, he thought, 
“ Surely my friend can rescue me.” 

Meanwhile the Jackal approached, and 
seeing what had happened, said to him- 
self, “Good! My plot has succeeded so 
far, and I think that I shall get what I 
want. The farmer will kill the Deer, take 
the meat, and leave the bones behind on 
the ground. They will make me a fine 
dinner.” 

Just then the Deer saw him, and called 
out joyfully to him, “Friend, just gnaw 
through these cords that hold me, and 
rescue me! 

“A war will show if men are brave; 

Debts test their honesty; 

Disasters prove the worth of friends, 

If they love faithfully.” 

[ 127 ] 


The Jackal, looking closely at the 
snare, saw that the Deer was held fast, 
and said, “Alas, the snares are made of 
sinews. To-day we fast from meat; how 
can I touch them with my teeth? But 
to-morrow at dawn I will set you free.” 
With these words he went off and hid be- 
hind some bushes through which he could 
watch the Deer. 

At nightfall the Crow noticed that the 
Deer did not come home, and went in 
search of him. At last he found him, and 
asked him, “Friend, how have you met 
with such an accident as this?” 

The Deer replied, “ Bright-wits, this 
is the result of my failure to follow the 
good advice of a friend; for there is a 
saying, 

4 ‘Whoever does not hear the words 
Of any faithful friend, 

He gives much joy to enemies, 

Misfortune is his end.” 

[128] 


“ Where is the Jackal?” the Crow 
asked. 

The Deer replied, “He is over yonder 
hiding, eager to eat me.” 

“Friend,” said the Crow, “I told you 
that fair words were not a ground for 
confidence. A scoundrel has honey on 
the tip of his tongue, but poison in his 
heart.” 

At daybreak the Crow saw the farmer 
coming toward the field, with a club in 
his hand. Then he said, “Friend Deer, 
lie on the ground stiff and rigid as though 
you were dead. Wait until I make a 
sound, and then jump up quickly and 
run away.” 

The Deer did as his friend told him to 
do. When the farmer saw him, he said, 
“He has killed himself in struggling to 
escape.” So he set the Deer free from the 
snares which had bound him, and started 
to gather up the cords. 

[ 129 ] 


At this moment the Crow gave the 
signal and the Deer sprang up and ran 
away. In anger the farmer threw his club 
after him, and it hit and killed the 
Jackal. 

For there is a saying, 

It may be days or months or years, 

But yet it is quite true: 

Reward or punishment will come 
For everything men do. 


[ 130 ] 


GRATITUDE AND INGRATITUDE 


In a certain village there lived a poor 
Brahman whose wife said to him daily, 
“ 0 you spiritless and worthless Brahman ! 
Do you not see that your wife and chil- 
dren are suffering from hunger? Up then 
and work hard to earn enough to keep us 
from starving!” 

The Brahman decided to travel in 
other lands in an effort to improve his 
fortunes, and set out on the way. 

A few days later, as he was passing 
through a forest, he came to a pit which 
had been covered with branches. In this 
he saw a Tiger, a Monkey, a Snake, and a 
Man; they also saw him. 

The Tiger addressed him, “0 Virtuous 
Man! Remember that it is a great ser- 
[ 131 ] 


vice to rescue living creatures; so draw 
me out, that I may return to my home 
and family.” 

The Brahman said in reply, “The mere 
mention of your name sets every one in 
terror. Shall not I also fear you? ” 

But the Tiger said, 

“One may for murder or for theft atone; 

But, for ingratitude, no pardon’s shown. 

“I swear that you have nothing to 
fear from me. Have pity and draw me 
out!” Thereupon the Brahman drew 
him out of the pit. 

The Monkey now said, “Good sir, 
help me also!” And the Brahman drew 
him up. 

Then the Snake said, “0 Brahman, 
help me out!” 

“People shiver at naming you,” an- 
swered the Brahman, “to say nothing of 
touching you!” 

“We harm only to defend ourselves,” 
[132] 


returned the Snake, “ I swear that you 
have nothing to fear from me.” There- 
upon the man helped the Snake out. 

The three beasts then turned to the 
Brahman and said, “Man is the abode 
of all wickedness; be careful, then, how 
you help or trust him.” 

The Tiger added, “I live in a cave on 
the farther side of yonder mountain. 
Be good enough sometime to visit me, 
that I may repay your favor and not be 
forever in your debt.” With that he 
turned away and went to his home. 

The Monkey added, “I dwell beside a 
waterfall not far from the Tiger’s cave. 
Pray visit me some day.” Then he too 
went home. 

The Snake added, “When you fall into 
danger of your life, remember me.” And 
he too departed. 

Now the Man in the pit cried re- 
peatedly, “Brahman, Brahman, help me 
[ 133 ] 


out ! ” Despite the warnings of the beasts, 
the Brahman drew him up. The Man 
said, “Good sir, I am a goldsmith, and 
when you would have any jewels set, 
bring them to me!” Then he left for 
his home. 

The Brahman wandered about, but 
found nothing. At last, in desperate 
hunger he went to the home of the Mon- 
key, who presented him with delicious 
fruits which refreshed and strengthened 
him. The Brahman thanked him, and 
said, “Show me now the way to the 
Tiger’s cave.” The Monkey pointed out 
the way. 

The Tiger received him with joy, and 
said, “Receive this necklace and these 
other jewels in return for your kindness. 
I have been keeping them for you ever 
since their wearer, a prince who became 
separated from his company while out 
hunting, fell into my claws.” 

[ 134 ] 


Thankful for this sudden prosperity, 
the Brahman turned next toward the 
home of the goldsmith, thinking, “He 
will surely sell these jewels for me.” 
The goldsmith received the Brahman 
kindly, and asked what he could do for 
him. 

The Brahman said, “I have brought 
some gold and jewels which I wish to sell. 
Will you take charge of the matter for 
me?” 

The goldsmith, seeing the articles, 
recognized them as his own handiwork 
which he had sold to the prince, and said, 
“Wait here, while I show them to one 
who may buy them.” Taking the things, 
he went straight to the king, and said, 
“I have received these from a Brahman, 
who is even now at my shop. Did they 
not belong to your son?” 

The king said, “The man has surely 
slain and robbed my son. Have him cast 
[ 135 ] 


into chains, and executed to-morrow at 
daybreak!” 

When the Brahman was seized and 
bound, he thought of the Snake. In- 
stantly the Snake appeared before him 
and said, “Good sir, what can I do to 
show my gratitude to you for saving my 
life?” 

The Brahman replied, “Free me from 
my imprisonment.” 

“Very well,” said the Snake, “I will 
sting the queen, and neither magic say- 
ings nor drugs will be able to cure her; 
but you shall heal the wound by the mere 
touch of your hand. Then they will set 
you free.” 

After this, the Snake went to the 
palace and stung the queen. At once 
loud wailings sounded through the city. 
The king sent out messengers to summon 
all the physicians and magicians to her 
aid; but no one could help her. Finally 
[ 136 ] 


the captive Brahman said, “I will free 
her from the poison.” 

Therefore he was taken from prison 
and led before the king. He placed his 
hand lightty upon the wound, and lo ! the 
queen was restored to perfect health. 
The king showed him all marks of honor 
and reverence, and finally asked him how 
he had received the gold and jewels. 
The Brahman told him his story. 

Then the king, in gratitude for the 
cure of the queen, made him his Prime 
Minister, and gave him great riches. 
The Brahman sent for his wife and chil- 
dren, and lived at the court of the king all 
the rest of his life, doing deeds of kindness 
and mercy, and administering business of 
state. But the ungrateful goldsmith was 
cast into prison. 

This illustrates the verse, 

A rescued Tiger, Snake, or Monkey can 

At times show better feelings than a man. 

[137] 


SOMILAKA AND HIS MONEY 


In a village there lived a weaver named 
Somilaka (So mi' la ka). He wove beauti- 
ful cloths, and made them into splendid 
garments, fit for a king; but somehow he 
was never able to save a penny. And yet 
the other weavers grew very rich. 

Somilaka thought long and deeply, and 
at last said to his wife, “My dear, see 
how rich these ordinary weavers are! 
Yet with all my skill I do not prosper. 
I will go elsewhere to try my fortune.” 

His wife replied, “Why do you expect 
to do better in another land? For 

“ All things that happen on this earth 
Do follow fate’s decree; 

The man that’s fated to be poor 
Will never wealthy be.” 

[ 138 ] 


But he said, “ With stout-hearted effort 
much may be done. 

“ In striving to secure a thing, 

Persistent work results will bring.” 

He went away to the city of Burdwan 
(Burd wan'), where he worked hard. In 
three years he had saved three hundred 
gold pieces. With this fortune he started 
on his homeward journey. 

One day darkness fell on him in the 
midst of an immense forest. To avoid 
wild animals, he climbed a great banyan 
tree, and laid himself down to sleep on a 
large limb. About midnight, he had a 
dream, in which he saw two men quarrel- 
ing violently. 

One said, “Doer, you know very well 
that Somilaka is not allowed to possess 
more than enough for food and clothing. 
Why have you given him three hundred 
gold pieces?” 

Doer replied, “Deed, my duty is to 
[ 139 ] 


reward all honest effort; but the final re- 
sult is in your hands. Take the money 
from him, if you will!” 

At this point the weaver woke up; he 
saw no one, but his purse was empty. 
The poor man reflected, “How have I 
lost my money? Every piece of my hard- 
earned gold is gone. I can never go back 
to my wife empty-handed.” 

Returning to Burdwan, he worked so 
industriously that in a single year he laid 
by five hundred gold pieces. Then he 
started home again. 

As ill luck would have it, the sun set 
just as he reached the spot where he had 
lost his money the year before. Hurrying 
on, he had not gone far when he heard 
two men talking behind him. 

One said, “Doer, you know very well 
that Somilaka may not possess more than 
enough for food and clothing. Why have 
you given him five hundred gold pieces?” 

[ 140 ] 


Doer replied, “Deed, my duty is to 
reward all honest effort; but the final re- 
sult is in your hands. Why then reproach 
me?” 

Hearing these words, Somilaka felt 
anxiously for his purse, and again found it 
empty. In his despair he thought, “I 
might as well end my life now,” and 
made a rope of grass with which to hang 
himself. But just as he was fastening 
it about his neck, a man of gigantic size 
appeared to him in the air, and said, 
“Somilaka, I am he who has taken away 
your money; this is the penalty for evil 
deeds which you did long ago. But now 
you have been sufficiently punished, and 
have won my favor. I will grant you 
a wish!” 

Somilaka said, “Then give me wealth! ” 
“Why so,” said the man, “when you 
cannot enjoy it? Even now, the influence 
of your past deeds follows you, and no 
[ 141 ] 


enjoyment beyond that of food and cloth- 
ing is allowed you.” 

But Somilaka insisted, “Even thus I 
desire to possess wealth.” 

“Return then to Burdwan,” said the 
man, “and seek out two merchants, 
named Money-keeper and Money- 
enjoyer. Observe each, and choose 
which you would resemble.” 

After saying this, the man disappeared. 
Somilaka went back, and towards the next 
evening found Money-keeper’s house. 
Money-keeper greeted the stranger in a 
very surly fashion, and at meal time gave 
him only some of the remnants. He of- 
fered him no bed, but left him in the 
courtyard for the night. 

At midnight Somilaka again heard the 
two men talking. One said, “Doer, why 
did you allow Money-keeper to spend 
money uselessly in feeding Somilaka? 
Therein you did wrong!” 

[ 142 ] 


Doer replied, “Deed, it is not my fault. 
I must let every one get what he earn- 
estly desires. If his nature is to be miserly 
and inhospitable, I must let him remain a 
miser until he has learned to do better. 
The reward or punishment, whichever he 
deserves, is in your hands!” 

So the next day Money-keeper was ill 
and unable to eat a mouthful, and his 
extravagance was in this way made up. 

Then Somilaka went to the house of 
Money-enjoyer, where he was received 
with all the honors due a guest. His host 
gave him an excellent dinner, clean 
clothes, and a comfortable bed. But at 
midnight Somilaka again heard the two 
men talking. 

One said, “Doer, this man has spent 
much money in the entertainment of 
Somilaka. What is he to do? For he 
has spent all that he has.” 

The other replied, “Deed, I have but 
[ 143 ] 


done my duty. It is my part to let every 
man do what he wishes. But you know 
whether he really wanted to be generous 
or not; the outcome is in your power.” 

And in the morning, a servant of the 
king came to Money-enjoyer with a great 
bag of gold which the king sent him as a 
present. 

When Somilaka left this hospitable 
house, the same gigantic man met him, 
and asked him, “Will you be like Money- 
keeper, or like Money-enjoyer?” 

Somilaka instantly replied, “Though 
Money-enjoyer has no riches stored up, 
I much prefer him to the miserly Money- 
keeper. Therefore, Exalted One, make 
me like the one who enjoys, and not like 
the one who hoards.” 

And at once he became a generous and 
hospitable man, ready to give everything 
for the sake of another. 


[144] 


GOOD-AND-CLEVER AND BAD- 
AND-TRICKY 


Two friends, Good-and-clever and Bad- 
and-tricky, lived in a village not far from 
each other. One day Bad-and-tricky 
thought to himself, “I am certainly a 
stupid fellow to stay here in my poverty; 
I will persuade Good-and-clever to go 
traveling with me into other lands, and 
together we will gain much money. Then 
ril cheat him out of his share and live in 
plenty the rest of my days.” 

So he went to Good-and-clever and 
said, “Good friend, when you become an 
old man, what adventures will you have 
to relate to your grandchildren? For 

“There’s naught befalls a stay-at-home; 

So through the world a man should roam. 

[ 145 ] 


“Let tis then set out to foreign lands, 
that we may see the peoples of other 
countries and may learn their ways.” 

Good-and-clever was attracted by the 
prospect, and the two took leave of their 
parents and set out from home. After, 
long travels, they found a great jar of 
gold, and turned back with their treasure, 
happy at their success, but eager to be 
home again. For 

To him who in a foreign land 
Has riches won, or power, 

The journey home will seem a month, 
Though be it but an hour. 

When they were near their home vil- 
lage, Bad-and-tricky said to his com- 
rade, “Friend, it will not be wise to bring 
our treasure home, for our families and 
relatives will long for it. Therefore let 
us bury it carefully here in this dense 
thicket, and take only a little with us. 
When that is used, we will come back to- 
[ 146 ] 


gether and take away as much more as 
we need at the time. For 

“The wise man hides his wealth with art, 

For gold perverts a good man’s heart. 

As fish and beasts and birds eat meat, 

So men delight, the rich to cheat.” 

Good-and-clever, hearing these words, 
cried, “Good! Let us do this!” So after 
each had taken a small share of the gold, 
they buried the rest and went home, where 
they lived comfortably for some time. 

One dark night Bad-and-tricky went 
out into the forest, dug up the treasure, 
and carried it home, after carefully bury- 
ing again the jar which had held the 
money. 

Not long after that, he went to Good- 
and-clever and said, “Friend, we both 
have large families, and need more money. 
Let us go and dig up our treasure!” 

Good-and-clever replied, “Yes, let us 
do so.” 


[ 147 ] 


On digging up the jar, they found 
it absolutely empty. Bad-and-tricky 
struck himself upon the head in despair 
and exclaimed, “Why, Good-and-clever! 
You have stolen all the money! I know 
that it was you who did it, for an ordinary 
thief would not have buried the jar again. 
Give me the half of what you have taken 
and hidden away, or I will make com- 
plaint before the king!” 

Good-and-clever indignantly replied, 
“You villain, do not speak thus! My 
very name, Good-and-clever, shows that 
I am no thief.” 

Quarreling thus, they both went to the 
court, told their case, and accused each 
other. But the judges, finding no wit- 
nesses, referred the decision to a Judg- 
ment by the Gods. 

At this Bad-and-tricky said, “This is 
not just, for the sages order the Judgment 
by the Gods only when there are no 
[ 148 ] 


documents and no witnesses. But I 
have as witness the Goddess of the Tree 
where the money was buried; and she 
will tell which of us is the thief, and which 
the honest man.” 

The others said, “Then it is right to 
hear her evidence, and to decide by it. 
To-morrow morning early we will go out 
into the forest to consult the Tree God- 
dess.” 

Thereupon Bad-and-tricky went home 
and said to his father, “Father, I stole 
the money from Good-and-clever. A 
mere word of yours will assure it to us; 
otherwise, we shall lose both the money 
and my life.” 

Then the father said, “Son, tell me 
quickly what I am to do.” 

Bad-and-tricky replied, “Close to the 
spot where the money was buried, there 
is a great mimosa tree. You must hide 
yourself in its hollow, and when I ask 
[ 149 ] 


who took the money, you must say that 
it was Good-and-clever.” 

Early the next morning Bad-and-tricky 
dressed himself in clean garments, and 
going to the tree with Good-and-clever 
and the judges, said in loud and clear 
tones, “The Sun, the Moon and the Wind, 
the Sky, the Earth and the Water, the 
Fire, the Day and the Night, the Dawn, 
the Twilight, and Righteousness know the 
deeds of men. So speak, holy Goddess of 
the Tree, which of us two is the thief?” 

At once Bad-and-tricky’s father, con- 
cealed within the mimosa tree, spoke: 
“Hear my words! This money was 
stolen by Good-and-clever.” 

When Good-and-clever heard this, he 
thought, “This is very peculiar. How 
can a tree speak? Yet cleverness may 
bring out the truth.” 

Then he said aloud, “Alas, my misdeed 
is discovered! Just this morning I was 
[ 150 ] 


carrying off the money from where I had 
hidden it after taking it from the jar, and 
as I was by this tree I saw a great cobra 
coming towards me. To escape, I threw 
the heavy bag of gold among the roots of 
this tree, and ran for my life. But as I 
fled, I saw the cobra crawl into the hollow 
of the tree. Now I must give the money 
back. Pray stand aside a little, while I 
try to drive off this cobra from his hiding 
place.” 

Good-and-clever now filled the hollow 
with dried leaves and sticks, and set them 
on fire. The flames streamed up the hol- 
low, which acted of course just like a 
chimney; and in a very few minutes Bad- 
and-tricky’s father came tumbling down 
the hollow to the ground, almost suf- 
focated, with his skin scorched and his 
hair all burned off. 

At this astonishing sight everybody 
cried out, “Why, what is this?” 

[ 151 ] 


The poor man said, “My dishonest son 
has brought me to this sad fate! ” And 
having uttered these words, he died. 

At once the judges understood what 
had happened, and ordered Bad-and- 
tricky to be led off to execution. 

This illustrates the verse, 

If you be clever and be good, 

Dishonest tricks may be withstood. 


[ 152 ] 


CONCLUSION 


At last, when the sage, Joy-of- Vishnu, 
had passed the promised six months in 
telling these stories to the princes, he 
said to them, “In what shall I now in- 
struct you? Or do you feel that when 
the time comes, you will be able to guide 
the state in a way that will lend renown 
to you and happiness to your subjects?” 

The princes replied, “Honored Sir, 
thanks to your instruction we have come 
to a realization of the duties of rulers, and 
have learned precepts which will enable 
us to rule wisely and justly.” 

The sage, rejoiced that his lessons had 
had the desired result, said, 

“Now may you prosper and live long, 

To show that for the right you’re strong.” 

[ 153 ] 



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